Straight replacement: Irfan Pathan drops in-form batter for KL Rahul for clash vs PAK

India and Pakistan will clash in the much-awaited Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday, September 10. Ahead of the clash, former India cricketer urged the management to drop the in-form batter to adjust KL Rahul in the playing XI. 

3 things you need to know

• India vs Pakistan has been granted a reserve day
• India vs Pakistan group stage match was washed out
• Ishan Kishan played in India's opener in the absence of KL Rahul

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Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan said that he would pick Rahul, who joined the Indian squad for the Super 4 following his recovery from an injury. Pathan added that Ishan Kishan would not want to miss any training session given the form he is in. In the absence of Rahul, Kishan played in India's Asia Cup opener against Pakistan and scored an impressive half-century.

“We and the fans are making it complicated. I feel the management is extremely clear about who they want to play. If you ask me, I will go towards KL Rahul but the team management can think differently. Everyone goes to practice. If I am Ishan Kishan, I won't want to miss any session because I will want to maintain my form,” Pathan said on Star Sports.

Pathan further said that Rahul needs game time ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India which will be held in October-November. Rahul last played in the IPL 2023 before he was ruled out after suffering a thigh injury.

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“On the other hand, KL Rahul needs to do it. No matter how much he practices or goes on the ground, it is less because the World Cup is also around the corner and you want as much practice as possible, play as many deliveries, and prepare fully. The decision is going to be interesting for sure. I will go with Rahul,” Pathan added.

“Ishan Kishan, it's a straight replacement. You won't want to play him in place of Shreyas Iyer. Yes, Shreyas Iyer is coming after injury but he is coming after scoring a lot of runs before that. KL Rahul also scored a lot of runs before injury."